The Infona portal uses cookies, i.e. strings of text saved by a browser on the user's device. The portal can access those files and use them to remember the user's data, such as their chosen settings (screen view, interface language, etc.), or their login data. By using the Infona portal the user accepts automatic saving and using this information for portal operation purposes. More information on the subject can be found in the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By closing this window the user confirms that they have read the information on cookie usage, and they accept the privacy policy and the way cookies are used by the portal. You can change the cookie settings in your browser.
The subject of considerations undertaken in this article is concerned with the role of lay theories of change in perception and adaptation to changes processes. It was argued that entity and incremental theories about the nature of the world and peoples' traits influence the way an individual interprets changes and the methods of adaptation to them. The assumptions are based on the research concerned the correlates and consequences of lay theories of change and the Richard Lazarus theory of cognitive appraisal. It was assumed that entity theorists perceive change as generally unfavourable event on which they react getting threatened and upset. Because of the fact that entity theorists assess poorly their ability of problem handling they adopt to new situations by withdrawing from involvement or making effort. If avoidance is impossible, they accept the inconvenient circumstances. On the other hand, the incremental theorists response on unfavourable change with hope they can improve the situation. Therefore, they use active methods of coping with negative causes of changes even if they are irreversible. The functionality of both adaptation methods was considered depending on the character of the change (possible to alter or impossible to reverse) and the entity or incremental theory.